As the Steam Machine slowly gains traction — not here, for obvious reasons that we’ve mentioned before — and during its launch, one customisable aesthetic Valve promised owners of its console-like PC the ability to make custom faceplates for it. Well, one owner and Redditor has taken that promise to the task and created a faceplate that acts as a charging dock for the accompanying Steam Controller.

Redditor NefariousnessWhole25 posted on the Steam Machine subreddit a concept where the faceplate does as explained earlier. ” I liked the concept that Valve themselves showed with the e-ink display, but for me the display would not be readable from where I normally sit, so I opted for a different functional faceplate instead. This faceplate will allow you to easily dock and charge your Steam controller without having the puck dangle somewhere near the machine; instead, the USB cable can be tucked neatly out of view (the cable you see above would normally be plugged in the back of the Steam Machine).”

What if a faceplate wasn't just for looks? I am working on a new kind of faceplate
byu/NefariousnessWhole25 insteammachine

NefariousnessWhole25 also mentions that sans the Steam Machine, his faceplate can also sit by its lonesome, with the option of being attached to the Steam Machine when necessary.  This is currently one of the only faceplate designs that clearly gives functionality a priority. Sure, some prefer the aesthetics of a faceplate that actively displays the details and metrics of your system, but for those like NefariousnessWhole25, they prefer having a faceplate that would be a wonder for those living in tighter and less accommodating living spaces.

“The puck is only held in place by friction; there is a tiny little lip that prevents the bottom from sliding out and the top is secured by plugging in the USB-C end of the cable. I have used a 90degree adapter cable to prevent the cable from going out of the top of the faceplate.”

At the time of writing, NefariousnessWhole25 indicates that the design has yet to be finalised and right now, he’s fishing for opinions on what else he could add to the design.

(Source: Reddit)

Updated 6:03 pm, Thu, 6 August 26